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Since that fateful day in 1911 when the first motion picture studio was established, Hollywood has become the heart of the industry for music, film and television, not to mention one of the most well known cities throughout the world. Millions of visitors come every year to pursue their dreams of becoming a star, meeting the stars or even just to gaze up at them in beautiful Los Angeles sky. From the Walk of Fame to Universal Studios to the famous Hollywood sign, this city is alive with attractions for young and old. With fascinating museums filled with historic movie artifacts, cars and tributes to idols from all around the world, even non-intellectual folks will love visiting museums in Hollywood. In addition to silver screen sights, Hollywood also boasts some of the most famous hotels, nightclubs and shopping. Sometimes it seems that there is a tour guide on every block, each one offering to show off the best of Hollywood including stars homes, local Hollywood landmarks and the city's many famous attractions.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Grauman's Chinese Theatre has been a cornerstone of Hollywood for over 75 years. The grand opening of the theatre was on May 18, 1927 and it was the most impressive theatre opening in motion picture history; a riot actually broke out as fans tried to get glimpses of the movie stars and other celebrities as they arrived for the opening. An historic cultural landmark, the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles is visited by more than four million visitors from all over the world every year and is the most sought-after studio in Hollywood for studio premieres. Every time there is a premiere, the streets are overrun by fans trying to get autographs and pictures of their favorite celebrities as they arrive for the red carpet walk-ins. The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs right in front of the theatre.
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The Walk of Fame
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
The Walk of Fame, located in Hollywood, is a tribute to the history of the Hollywood-based entertainment industry. One of Hollywood’s most visited landmark, it honors stars that have made significant contributions in categories such as radio, television, motion pictures, recording and live performance. The Walk of Fame is located on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard from Gower to La Brea, and also both sides of Vine Street from Yucca to Sunset. Originally imagined in 1958 by Oliver Weissmuller, the official groundbreaking was on February 9, 1960 and the first star placed that day was Joanne Woodward. It took sixteen months to complete the construction and once finished, there were 2,500 blank stars laid on the sidewalk waiting for celebrities to stake their claim. Since 1960, one to two stars are approximately added per month. In 1994 the stars were pushed over the 2000 mark, but even at the current rate, it will be many years until there is no room left for Hollywood's finest and brightest.
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The Hollywood Sign
Hollywood, CA
The Hollywood Sign, in Hollywood, CA, stands over four stories high with each letter running 50 feet from its base. Created and erected by Harry Chandler in 1923, the sign originally read HOLLYWOODLAND and was an invitation to all up and coming star seekers coming to "The Land of Dreams" to search for their big shot in the entertainment industry. To enhance the effect of the sign, 4000 light bulbs were used to light it in the Los Angeles sky and give it a glowing and surreal effect. After the sign was neglected throughout the Great Depression, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stepped in to repair it and remove the last four letters, creating the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign that visitors know today. A common sight in movies, on postcards and images of California, the sign has also served as a canvas for many bold pranksters. Despite being named an official historical monument in 1973, the sign still suffered further damages and hardships. In 1976, pranksters altered the sign to read "HOLLYWEED" trying to make a public outcry for looser marijuana laws and two years after that a group of vandals again altered it to read "HOLYWOOD" to commemorate a 1978 visit from Pope John Paul II. During the Iran-Contra scandal of 1987 someone altered it again to read. "OLLYWOOD".
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Hollywood & Highland Center
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
The Hollywood & Highland Center, in Los Angeles, is a huge complex that offers the best in entertainment, retail and hotel services. The Center is located in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles and includes the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, which is home to the Academy Awards. This historic site was also once the home of the famous Hollywood Hotel.The complex offers amazing views of the Hollywood hills as well as the Hollywood sign. The film “Intolerance” by D.W. Griffith inspired the centerpiece of the complex and is a massive three-story courtyard filled with 75 shops, three restaurants, a movie theater, The Highlands nightclub and a Lucky Strike Lanes bowling alley. The Hollywood & Highland center also has 65,000 square feet of gathering spaces including the Grand Ballroom, which is used for the Oscars Governors Ball. The world famous chef Wolfgang Puck operates his regional headquarters out of the complex and the center includes studios for the daily talk show "On the Air With Ryan Seacrest."
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Kodak Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Located in the Hollywood & Highland Center, the Kodak Theatre is a 3,400 seat theatre that opened in November 2001 and soon after became known as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards. Costing $94 million to build, this theatre in Hollywood, CA was designed by the renowned Rockwell Group and is as infamous and spectacular as the artists and celebrity guests that cross it. A first class entertainment venue, the Kodak Theatre has hosted a range of artists and events including Celine Dion, Prince, Stevie Wonder, the American Ballet Theatre and various touring Broadway productions to name just a few. Notable television and awards events at the theatre have also included The American Idol finals, the Latin Grammy Awards, the BET awards, and AFI Lifetime Achievement Awards to Tom Hanks, George Lucas and Meryl Streep. Theatre tours are offered seven days a week.
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